Electrical connection for electric signs



Feb. 21, 1939. H, KRESGE 2,147,847

EIJFICTRICAL CONNECTION FOR ELECTRIC SIGNS- Filed Feb 2, 1937 kkwpv A. A4SGT INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS I aw Patented Feb. 21, 1939 UNITED- STATES PATENT FFICE 2,147,343. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR- ELEc'rRIo SIGNS 7 Harry L. Kresge, New. York, N. Y. Application February 2, 1937, Serial No. 123,612 1 Claim. (01. rig-e28) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in electric signs and more particularly it relates to so-cal1ed electrode connections for neon signs. One type of electrode connector for such signs, in more or less general use is known as a bushing, and it is this type to which the present invention relates.

It is one object of the invention so to construct the device that the possibility of short circuiting will be practically eliminated.

Another object of the invention resides in a new and novel construction whereby lodgment of foreign bodies such for example as insects and a consequent short circuiting of the sign is eliminated.

Because of the fact that the electrodes of signs of the neon type are not of uniform length, it is necessary to employ an electrical connection between the source of supply and the electrode, which connection is of a flexible nature and it is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and novel construction whereby a good electrical connection between the source of supply and the electrode of the sign is assured.

Other features of the invention relate to certain novel and improved constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claim, the advantages of which will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The invention will be understood from the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention in its preferred forms and the following detailed description of the construction therein shown.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a device constructed in accordance with one form of the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a view thereof, partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal section.

In that form of the invention. illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the bushing comprises a hollow cylindrical member H] having the usual enlarged portion or flange H. The opposite end of the body portion is chamfered or cut away as at l2 to provide a shed for moisture or the like. Projecting from the periphery of the end of the main body portion. l there is an arm l3 which is rigid in character and said arm has its free end spaced an appreciable distance from the adjacent end of the main body portion ID. The cylindrical body is made of porcelain or other suitable non-conducting material and the arm I3 is preferably formed as an integral portion thereof.

Secured to the end of the arm and preferably depending therefromthere is a second arm 14. This arm may be secured in position upon the arm l3 by providing a right angular portion I 5 through which a bolt it passes, the bolt It also passing through an opening I! in the endof the arm I3. Secured to the lower end of the arm i l by means of a screw or the like Hi there is a conventional clip I9. Also secured to the arm. l4 and extending in the direction of the main 1 body portion In there is a conductor 20. This conductor 20 is of a flexible nature and comprises a coil spring of resilient material. One end of this conductor is passed around the bolt l8, thus providing means for electrically connecting this conductor to the arm M, which also serves together with the bolt I8 to electrically connect the clip I9 with the conductor 20. The reference numeral 2| designates a terminal which is preferably of the type illustrated in my co-pending 2 application, Serial Number 83,099, filed May 29, 1936, for Electrode terminal, and this terminal is adapted to embrace the free end 22 of the electrode of the neon sign and has electrical contact therewith. 25

Because of the fact that the flexible conductor 20 has a tendency to sag, it often happens that the electrical connection between the terminal 2| and the electrode 22 becomes broken or imperfect, and it is the object of the present invention to prevent this sagging of the conductor 20, thus insuring a good electrical contact between the terminal 2| and the electrode 22 at all times.

In that form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 this result is accomplished by supporting the inner end of the flexible conductor 20 from the rigid arm I3 by passing a portion of said conductor about or around said arm l3. This construction is shown in Figures 1 and 2 in which the end convolution 25 of the coiled flexible conductor 20 is passed around the arm l3, as illustrated at 26 in said figures. While I have shown but one of the convolutions of the coiled conductor 20 as passed around the arm l3, two or even more may be so constructed, this being immaterial in so long as the proper support for the conductor 20 is had.

By this construction it will be apparent that the flexible conductor 20 is free to function in the ordinary manner since the support thereof from the arm I3 is of such nature that that part of the conductor which embraces the arm I3 is free to slide therealong, thus permitting the structure to accommodate itself to various lengths of the electrode. It will also be apparent that the conductor 20 is, by the construction illustrated, supported in axial alinement with the axis of the main body portion of the bushing, thus insuring good electrical contact between the terminal 2| and the electrode of the sign.

By the construction employed in the bushing, it is obvious that insects which might come in contact with either the conductor 20 or the terminals of the devices will, upon being killed by reason of the electric current therein, not lodge or be collected in such a manner as to cause a short circuiting of the sign, but will instead fall directly away from the electrical connections and thus be disposed of.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the I present invention provides a new and improved bushing construction and arrangement for neon signs in which the objects are efiiciently accomplished, and while the invention has been disclosed in its preferred forms it is to be understood that it is not to be limited to the specific vconstructions shownrbut may be illustrated in other forms without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Having thus described claimed as new, is:

A bushing for illuminated electric signs comprising a hollow cylindrical body, a rigid arm extending from one end of said hollow cylindrical body and having its free end spaced an appreciable distance from the body portion, an electrical contact member carried by said arm adjacent its free end, and a flexible electrical conductor connected at one end to the electrical contact member and having its other end free for attachment to an electric sign electrode, said electrical conductor comprising a coiled member suspended at its inner end by passing at least one of its convolutions around said rigid arm to suspend the coiled conductor therefrom in alinement therewith and in alinement with the axis of the hollow cylindrical bushing.

the invention, what is HARRY L. mESGE. 

